KATHMANDU, Dec 15: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) celebrated the 28th Metropolitan Day on Thursday. On the occasion of the KMC Day, cultural performances reflecting the identities of different castes, and Newari dishes like Yomari, Bara, Samay Baji were presented at Basantapur Dabali.

KATHMANDU, March 17: Holi, the festival of colors, was observed with huge fanfare in the mountainous and hilly regions of the country on Thursday. Nepalis, who were unable to celebrate Holi for the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic, celebrated the festival with full enthusiasm this year.

With the installation of Chir, a ceremonial bamboo pole with three tiers of colorful clothes at Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Holi, the festival of colors officially began on Thursday.

KATHMANDU, Mar 21: Locals have erected Chir (a ceremonial pole with colorful crown) in Basantapur, Kathmandu to mark the beginning of the Fagu Purnima, popularly known as Holi festival.

Iih, once again is in indefinite Satyagraha until all the demands are fulfilled for a better COVID-19 response to save the lives that are at risk due to the government’s continual incompetence. He says, “The Satyagraha is open to all who wish to join and do their bit to save lives before it is too late and it is time for youngsters to speak up.”

Curio shops of Basantapur in this undated photograph.

Tucked away in a quite corner at Freak street in Basantapur is probably one of the best Japanese food serving stations in town. Japanese Food Takoyaki SOLO has been serving authentic Japanese street food plus sushi for just over a year but it has already gained a devoted set of customers who come quite regularly to indulge in the various Japanese delicacies that it’s popular for in the short time it has been in operation.

KATHMANDU, Feb 8: Sixty five-year-old Gambirdhoj Joshi has been collecting coins on the ground floor of Laxmi Narayan Temple at Basantapur for more than 50 years.

The week in pictures January 20-26.

Fifty-two-year-old Raj Kumar Sah calls himself an uneducated business person. “I have only studied up to the second standard. Back then, fifth graders used to be our teachers”, says the father of three daughters and three sons. Raj Kumar was a scavenger when he first started working in Kathmandu. Later, he traveled back to his home district Sarlahi and started a small shop there. His wife currently looks after the shop.

Every day she roams around Basantapur with a smile on her face convincing thirsty pedestrian into buying a bottle of water. Musuba Shahi is a 73-year-old woman from Jumla. She came to the Valley around four months ago and started selling water since then. Musuba is a mother of two daughters. She had lost her five and and two-year-old sons.

The week in pictures for October 21- October 27.

Dal Bahadur Gandharva is a Kathmandu immigrant from Chitwan. He has been selling bead necklaces at Basantapur since he first arrived at Kathmandu, 35 years ago. Gandharva is grateful for the second chance that life gave him; he had narrowly escaped death during the 2015 earthquake.

Kodari, Tatopani resident Hari Karki has witnessed the changes in Basantapur since 1950. The vicinity has provided him with a host of memories – some sorrowful and some to cherish for a lifetime.

KATHMANDU, Sept 23: The Democracy Fair 2018 which started from Thursday at Basantapur to celebrate Nepal's stride in democracy as well as to discuss on the issues related to democracy has concluded on Saturday.

If you love ice cream but would like a healthier alternative, then head to Sweet Fix at Freak Street in Basantapur, Kathmandu. The gourmet popsicles are sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting just one more. Started by 23-year-olds, Shreya Upadhyay and Kritika Lamsal, Sweet Fix serves popsicles of different flavors and each, we vouch, is a delight.

KATHMANDU, July 22: Supporters of Dr. Govinda KC have started a mass resilience at Basantapur to draw government’s attention to save the social crusader’s life and meet his demands.

KATHMANDU, March 1: Holi festival, one of the biggest festivals, has been celebrated at Basantapur area in the capital with much fanfare.

KATHMANDU (REPUBLICA): JJ Jewellers (Emerald Pvt Ltd), which showcases a collection of gold, silver and diamond jewellery, has opened a showroom at Basantapur, Kathmandu.

KATHMANDU, Jan 6: Locals residing at and around Kathmandu Durbar Square have organized a protest program against United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and its Nepal representative Christian Manhart.

Cultural books and magazines compiling the history and festivals of Nepal are in high demand among the flock of tourists who travel to the country every year in search of serenity and calm.

KATHMANDU, Dec 7: Voting at Basantapur.

KATHMANDU, Oct 17: Locals of Kathmandu along with social activists staged a sit-in protest at Basantapur Durbar Square on Monday to raise voice against an under-construction building which has jeopardized the Kumari shrine and temple of Nasal god.

What differentiated child participants from young boys substituting cows during the Gaijatra festival in Basantapur were artificial mustaches, lipsticks and extra-thick mascara worn by the latter.

A quite oasis amidst the rush of the city, this place projects a beautiful intermingling of the ancient culture and the modern way of living. Kathmandu Durbar Square or Basantapur Durbar Chetra is located at the center of the city and is one of the three royal palaces (Durbar Square) in the Kathmandu valley. This area held the palaces of Malla and Shah Kings who ruled over the city. Now, it is a popular destination for national as well as international tourists.

It was believed that the suspects would vomit blood and die on the spot if they lied before Kal Bhairav

KATHMANDU, March 25: Chinese Defence Minister and State Councilor, General Chang Wanquan, today visited the Basantapur Durbar Square where various heritages enlisted in World Heritage site were damaged by the April 25, 2015 earthquake.

KATHMANDU, Dec 15: A group of experts from the Department of Archaeology (DoA) and Durham University of the UK has been carrying out post-disaster excavation at Jagannath and Gopinath temples in Kathmandu Durbar Square, which were partially damaged by last year's devastating earthquakes.

The famed square of Basantapur stirs to life hours before dawn. Often it’s the priests from nearby Guthis. First, their footsteps, then later on, their chants and bells ring through the darkness and break the 4 am stupor. It’s a practice that has been carried on for centuries. Now, while the tradition of such Nitya Puja was originally born and established in intricately designed, prominent, multi-tiered temples, these days, the early morning rituals in Basantapur make for a rather poignant sight. The priests can be seen shuffling from one wreckage site to another depleted temple, doing their best to maneuver around the tekas in order to offer their prayers.

KATHMANDU, Sept 15: The traditional festival, Indrajatra, is being observed by worshipping the Devraj Indra, the God of rains and good harvest.

KATHMANDU, Sept 13: Two people were injured after a lingo (a wooden poll) collapsed at Basantapur in the capital on Monday morning.

KATHMANDU, April 25: The reconstruction of the monuments damaged during the massive earthquake of April 25 at the famed Basantapur Durbar Square has officially kicked off today.